Unusual Chiefs Specials Gallery

[A10]

Great thread! I can see this one becoming another classic, like the Ultimate H-P has become. What is it about these little guns that is so cool? I started out strictly and N-frame guy, but I keep gravitating now to the J's. 36 no dash square butt, a 442-1 no lock, and a 60 no dash so far....I'm still shopping, too......

 

[Frank237]

Great thread. I've got a few neat ones, but all of them 1970 or later.

My Uncly Tommie was a cop in NJ , started in 1958 or so. I can recall sometime in the early 1960's when the Stainless M-60 was relatively brand new...he bought one. I was hot for all things gun related and recall the gun vividly. Previously he had carried a .32 S&W 3" I frame. As THAT gun was the first pistol I ever shot...I was all of eight yrs old.

He is long gone...I've wondered many times what ever happened to that gun?

Some great pics....hope this keeps going.

FN in MT

 

[Malysh]

Great thread! I can see this one becoming another classic, like the Ultimate H-P has become. What is it about these little guns that is so cool? I started out strictly and N-frame guy, but I keep gravitating now to the J's. 36 no dash square butt, a 442-1 no lock, and a 60 no dash so far....I'm still shopping, too......

IMHO, what makes them cool aside from great craftmanship and quality materials, is that J frames are overall, the best compromise of extreme concealment, reliability, and the minimum acceptable self defense caliber to many people. I am willing give up the extra cartridge capacity of a 32 or 380 for 5 shots of a good 38 Special round for close range self defense.

 

[Catshooter]

Very nice pics! The I/J frames are just the picture of class.


Cat

 

[WyoStillhunter]

My 36 (no dash) is not real early or unusual but I love it.

The 3" Spokane PD example shown above reminded me of a situation in my hometown, Columbia, MO, in the early 1970's. I was very active in a local practical pistol league (a la Jeff Cooper, et al.) and associated with a few of the local LEOs. About that time they got a new Chief of Police and he was big on modernizing the department. One of his efforts was to switch from 4" M15s to 6" M28s for patrol officers for the visual initimidation effect, or so I was told. (I ended up with one of the retired M15s, BTW.)

Well, at that time there was one female officer paying her dues on patrol duty before being moved into the detective ranks to deal with crimes against women and children. It seems this lady was so petite that she couldn't reasonably wear a M28 6" in a patrol car even though she could shoot it just fine. So she was outfitted with a 3" M36 for her tour of duty as a patrol officer until the brass could justify moving her into investigations. That Spokane PD 3" would have been about the same vintage as the one they issued her.

It's funny how a thread like this brings to mind all sorts of old memories and associations that haven't been recalled in decades.

 

[thomashoward]

Not necessarily unusual 37 no dash

By thomashoward at 2011-06-24

 

[Glock 'em down]

Some great pics guys.

I just L-O-V-E Jaybirds.

 

[Model19man]

I have a Model 37 (no dash) that is serialized 1936XX. When was it made? It is a great little shooter. I bought it a couple months ago for $300. Has a bit of holster wear on the sides of the barrell.

 

[Goony]

I have a Model 37 (no dash) that is serialized 1936XX. When was it made?

Around 1960 - should have diamond stocks. You didn't mention what barrel length, also square or round butt?

 

[Model19man]

It is a 2" barrell. The stocks don't have the diamond. I should have said there is a J in front of the number in case that makes a difference?

Around 1960 - should have diamond stocks. You didn't mention what barrel length, also square or round butt?

 

[ar15ed]

the j definitely makes a difference! it is from about 1973, and shouldn't have diamond grips.

 

[Goony]

The 3" Spokane PD example shown above reminded me of a situation in my hometown, Columbia, MO, in the early 1970's. About that time they got a new Chief of Police and he was big on modernizing the department. One of his efforts was to switch from 4" M15s to 6" M28s for patrol officers....

Well, at that time there was one female officer paying her dues on patrol duty before being moved into the detective ranks to deal with crimes against women and children. It seems this lady was so petite that she couldn't reasonably wear a M28 6" in a patrol car even though she could shoot it just fine. So she was outfitted with a 3" M36 for her tour of duty as a patrol officer until the brass could justify moving her into investigations. That Spokane PD 3" would have been about the same vintage as the one they issued her.

I hadn't given due consideration to maybe that Spokane PD 36-1 being procured for carry by authorized female personnel, and I realize you're not specifically suggesting that it necessarily was, but that certainly is a possibility beyond the ones I had mentioned. Thanks for the insight.

 

[dacoontz]

How about a refnished baby chief (pre-36)

I hadn't seen a refinished baby chief on here yet. Isn't that a little unusual . It was factory refinished in the 70's and then barely used. The back gun is a pre-30 32 S&W long. Almost same size frame if the cylinder window wasn't completely different. I guess that's a big difference isn't it.

 

[Black_Sheep]

It's not particularly unusual but this 36 "no dash" is a neat old Chiefs Special.

This Chiefs Special Airweight is a neat old J frame too, IIRC the serial number is in the 1956 range.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Gooney... thanks for sharing your guns and knowledge, along with thanks to the other contributors here. I picked up a no dash M60 1 7/8" barrel several months ago and use it for pocket carry quite a bit. I have a M37 airweight with 3" barrel my aunt gave me in about 1975. I really like your model with the 3" barrel and round butt. Thanks again.

Hog

 

[Goony]

I hadn't seen a refinished baby chief on here yet. Isn't that a little unusual . It was factory refinished in the 70's and then barely used.

A question on this - does it bear a marking of some sort, or do you have documentation regarding the refinish, or is the info just anecdotal? From the pics, it appears to be a beautiful job, and it's interesting that the stocks appear to be the originals and look so nice, too. I don't know if when a revolver went in to S&W for a refinish whether the stocks would be replaced if they were in bad shape.

I do know that the factory no longer is in the business of refinishing older guns. Can anyone say when that service was discontinued?

 

[dacoontz]

Here's a picture of the frame where the factory marked it's work. The 379 signified march 1979 when the gun was sent back to the factory for refinish and the R-S is refinish in standard blue. I have not lettered the gun, but because of the high quality work and the marking, I am 99.9% sure it was factory refinished.

The stocks are ones that I picked up from a forum member or on E-bay. I can't remember which but I purchased because of their very nice condition.

 

[RatPatrol]

Add my find ....

I just acquired;

Mod 36
SN: J149145

well beat up (I'll get some pics up soon) it spent many yrs in draws, under pillows etc ......

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Well, I'll toss one into the hat too.

Cheers;
Lefty

and for a bonus point....

and...my entry into the Lee Jarret "Ugly Baby" contest. Note the appropriate background color.

 

[Kurly]

Hi folks, new member here with a 1955 Chiefs Special that I had some questions on.

I'm interested in selling it but before I do, wanted to see if anyone had an idea of it's value. Called S&W to determine mfg date and they said it was built in 1955.

3" barrel, serial # 51937. I'd say the condition is 98% with the only wear being on the cylinder where the cylinder detent catch is.

Any idea as to what I should ask for it and where best to post it for sale? Also have original box and manual. I've attached pics for reference. Thanks in advance!

Kurly
click to enlarge pictures: